Erica Schwartz, CDC nominee for director intends to restore public trust in health organization
Erica Schwartz, the administration's nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, expressed support for vaccines — including mRNA-based covid shots — in a Senate hearing on Wednesday, though she didn’t dispel concerns the agency has lost any independence from the White House. “I have been vaccinating people throughout my entire career in uniformed services. I believe in vaccines,” Schwartz said at the hearing. “I do believe that mRNA technology is safe and effective.” Her position contrasts with that of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who ousted Trump’s previous CDC director, Susan Monarez, after she sparred with him over vaccines....
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Black Executive Justin Jay Norman Leaves Spotify to Launch Verse + Hook
Justin “Jay” Norman, the Detroit-based creative strategist, music producer, and Ad Age Creator 100 honoree who most recently served as Global Director of Creative Strategy and Global Head of Music Marketing at Spotify, has formally departed the streaming platform to lead Verse + Hook (V+H), the culture-first creative strategy, branding, and marketing consultancy he co-founded. The announcement marks one of the more notable creative executive departures from the streaming industry in recent memory. Norman spent years at Spotify overseeing some of the platform’s most culturally significant global campaigns, managing artist relationships and music marketing initiatives that reached audiences across dozens of countries. Co-founder Miso Brown steps...
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WNBA founding player Rushia Brown still a winner and key player
As the basketball world gathered in Chicago this week for WNBA All-Star Week, founding player Rushia Brown hosted her signature “Play Like a Girl” Basketball Skills Clinic at the South Side YMCA in Chicago. The event brought together up to100 middle and high school YMCA girl members, ages 7-16 for a day of basketball instruction, leadership development, and mentorship. Brown was joined by WNBA legends Monique Ambers, Redhead Bristol, Leslie Johnson, and Bridget Pettisto. Participants will receive hands-on instruction in shooting skills, ball handling, teamwork, and communication. Beyond the game, girls will engage in conversations centered on confidence, perseverance, leadership, and achieving success both on and...
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Founder of First Black Woman-Owned Skateboard company Proper Gnar launches art inspired collection
Latosha Stone-Keagy, the founder and CEO of Proper Gnar, the first Black woman-owned skateboard company, is marking a new chapter defined by intentional design, creative independence, and a renewed commitment to its original mission. Since its founding in 2011, her company has been recognized for challenging the norms of a traditionally male-dominated skate industry. Built from the ground up, initially out of a spare bedroom, the brand quickly gained national attention, earning features with major platforms and retailers while cultivating a dedicated community of women and girls in skateboarding. After over a decade of growth, including viral success and large-scale collaborations, she made the decision to step...
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Kenneth N. Wilson Named Introduction Writer for 20th Anniversary Edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus
Real Times Media proudly announces that Kenneth N. Wilson, County Administrator for Franklin County, will serve as the introduction writer for the highly anticipated 20th Anniversary Edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus. As the highest unelected official in Franklin County government, Wilson has served as County Administrator since 2015, leading 15 county agencies and more than 1,400 employees. He oversees the County’s annual $2.2 billion budgeting process for 35 agencies, helping ensure Franklin County remains among the nation’s most effective and well-governed communities. A respected public servant and civic leader, Wilson holds a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Arts...
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Janelle Coleman to pen foreword for Who’s Who In Black Columbus 20th Anniversary edition
Who’s Who In Black Columbus proudly announces that Janelle Coleman, President of the American Electric Power Foundation and Vice President of Community Engagement and Corporate Philanthropy for American Electric Power, will author the foreword for the landmark 20th Anniversary Edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus. The commemorative edition will celebrate two decades of recognizing the achievements, leadership, and lasting impact of Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders throughout Central Ohio while honoring the publication's legacy of documenting Black excellence. “Janelle Coleman embodies the spirit of servant leadership and community investment that has defined Who’s Who In Black Columbus for the past 20 years,” says Dr....
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Kenneth N. Wilson Named Introduction Writer for 20th Anniversary Edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus
Real Times Media proudly announces that Kenneth N. Wilson, County Administrator for Franklin County, will serve as the introduction writer for the highly anticipated 20th Anniversary Edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus. As the highest unelected official in Franklin County government, Wilson has served as County Administrator since 2015, leading 15 county agencies and more than 1,400 employees. He oversees the County’s annual $2.2 billion budgeting process for 35 agencies, helping ensure Franklin County remains among the nation’s most effective and well-governed communities. A respected public servant and civic leader, Wilson holds a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Arts...
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Nikki Harland of Concessions International: Elevating travel to higher heights
When a woman reaches the C-suite in the travel concessions industry - or any industry - she is usually expected to influence workplace culture, particularly around diversity and inclusion. But when a Black woman attains that level of leadership, her presence has a broader impact, shaping the organization’s culture from executive leadership to frontline employees. Nikki Harland, of Concessions International LLC wields that type of influence in the business world and has levied her considerable cache of career achievements and business accomplishments to elevate opportunities for minority inclusion in growth and leadership. Harland's success underscores both the growing presence of Black women in top executive roles...
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George E. Johnson Changed Black Beauty — and Black History
By Joe Williams The Johnson Products founder broke Wall Street’s color barrier, created a multimillion-dollar business and helped bring Soul Train into homes across America. Johnson built Johnson Products into the nation's dominant Black hair care company while opening doors for Black entrepreneurs and celebrating Black identity. His investments also helped propel Soul Train into a national phenomenon. He parlayed a $250 personal loan into a business empire and, in the process, changed how Black America saw itself. A beauty-products pioneer, he broke Wall Street’s color barrier and later helped catapult a locally televised Chicago music show into a national pop-culture touchstone. And, for the better...
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Denzel McCampbell is blazing a trail to Detroit’s future. Haters are detting left in the dust
Denzel McCampbell is not shying away from the greys that have overtaken his beard he’s been wearing at full length for a few years now. Men that grow out their facial hair know how deceptive a salt-and-pepper beard can be; the greys do tend to age people prematurely, with people incorrectly assuming said beard wearers to be older than they are. McCampbell jokes that he can actually use that to his advantage. “They” – “they,” being constituents, voters, other Detroit residents, whatever applies in the moment – “are probably like, ‘instead of 34, oh, maybe you’re a little bit older,’” the freshman Detroit City Councilman tells the Chronicle over smoothies at a coffee shop in his...
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